The Gospel of Grace – Mike Bickle
Session 6 Grace: Called to Walk in God’s Glory (Rom. 5)Page1

Session 6Grace: Called to Walk in God’s Glory (Rom. 5)

I.Peace, grace, and glory (Rom. 5:1-2)

A.Review: Romans 1-8 is the most complete presentation of the gospel of grace. In Romans 1-4, Paul established that all are unable to save themselves(1:18-3:20). He explained how sinful people can be justified by faith (3:21-31); then he illustrated justification by faith in the life of Abraham (who lived before the law) and David (who lived after the law). Finally, he explained that all who are justified can walk in God’s glory with victory over sin (Rom. 5-8).

28We conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. (Rom. 3:28)

B.In Romans 5,Paul sets forth three results of being justifiedby faithin summarizing the purpose of salvation (5:2)—we can have a deeprelationship with Jesus (peace with God), we stand in grace, and we participate in God’s glory (in part in this life and in fullness in the age to come). These are three facets of the “diamond of grace.” To understand justification is to have assurance of full salvation. If you are saved, then the glory of God is guaranteed to you.

1Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope [the certainty]of the glory of God. (Rom. 5:1-2)

C.Peace with God:to be in a position to experience a full, affectionate,and enjoyable relationship with God. Since He is a God of infinite burning love, to have peace with Him means that the offencesthat disqualified us from receiving His overflowing love have been forever removed. The tone of our relationship with God is peace with His love pouring forth in us (Rom. 5:5).

  1. The enmity is totally gone (Rom. 5:10), therefore we have no condemnation (Rom. 8:1). This leaves us with the assurance of being enjoyed by God.
  2. The Greek word for peace (eirene)points to the same truths that the Hebrew word shalom means. Itspeaks of a full relationship with God,which includes both the absence of conflict with Him and the fullness of His salvationwith its blessings.
  3. Peace with God is the first need of every person and the first concern in preaching the gospel, rather than promising people improved circumstances.

D.Stand in grace:To be in a position to experience all the benefits of a full relationship with God.We entered into a new state or legal position before God when we were justified by faith. Entering this new realm gives us access to all the benefits of our new position.

  1. For example, we can now feel confident in God’s affection.Our condemnation has passed. We have the indwelling Spirit and Jesus’ authorityso we are no longer powerless and filled with darkness. We have a divine destiny and a good future in God.
  2. Paul repeated this truth of standing in grace when he later wrote of being under the reign of grace (Rom. 5:21).

E.Hope of glory:To be in a position to participate in God’s glory now and in the age to come. “Hope” means certainty. We rejoice in the certainty of experiencing God’s glory.This is one of the ultimate statements in the book of Romans. This speaks of participation and partnership in His glory. It includes being deeply involved with the purposes of His heart, now and forever.

2We…rejoice in hope [the certainty] of the glory of God. (Rom. 5:2)

  1. Paul referenced experiencing glory in this age (Rom. 5:3-5; 6:4) and in eternity (Rom. 8:17-30). Many cannot see the evidence of God’s glory in their life because it looks very different from how they think it should look.
  2. The point of salvation was to bring many sons to glory.

10It was fitting for Him…in bringing many sons to glory… (Heb. 2:10)

  1. From ages past, God ordained a plan that we might participate with His glory.

7We speak the wisdom…which God ordained before the ages for our glory…
9Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Cor. 2:7–9)

F.We participate in God’s glory in three ways—internally, externally and eternally

  1. Internally: We participate with His glory internally by the Spirit (Rom. 6:4).

4We were buried with Him…that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Rom. 6:4)

  1. Externally:We participate with His glory externally through God releasingHis power through us and on our circumstances, relationships, ministry, and finances, etc. The Lord affirms the value of the small things done in faithfulness (Mt 25:21; Zech. 4:10).

21Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord. (Mt 25:21)

  1. Eternally:We will participate with His glory eternally in the New Jerusalem, with a resurrected body and in receiving eternal rewards.

17 We are…joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Rom. 8:17–18)

G.To “rejoice” in God’s glory requires seeing what the Word declares about it. It includes our simple words, our small deeds, and our heart intentions to obey God—all of these move God’s heart. We are to rejoice in the certainty of God’s glory and not ignore it or downplay it.

H.We are to be preoccupied and focused on it as implied by the word “rejoice.”This was the mindset that we are called to cultivate. Our natural inclinations are to ignore the glory of God in our lives because of small manifestations of glory that we do not see with our natural eye.

II.the assurance of walking in God’s glory (Rom. 5:3-21)

A.In Romans 5,Paul explained that nothing can stop us from experiencing God’s glory, not even the greatest tribulations or pressures (Rom. 5:3-5). Paul anticipates people seeing tribulation as a contradiction to the certainty of participating in glory. He explained how tribulation, if responded to properly, will enhance our experience of glory not minimize it.

3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4and perseverance, character; and character, hope.(Rom. 5:3–4)

B.Our participation in God’s glory is so certain because it is based on God's love towards us while we were enemies (Rom. 5:6-8).

6For when we were still without strength…8God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:6–8)

C.Our confidence is based on the fact that God sent Jesus to die for us while we were God’s enemies—how much more will He bring us to the fullness of salvation (Rom. 5:9-10).Much more we are saved by his life. Saved by His life and rejoicing in glory are identical concepts. This speaks of union with Christ. This is the thought that launches Paul into verses 12-21.

10If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved [empowered] by His life[in us]. (Rom. 5:10)

D.Our confidence is also based on the fact of our union with Christ or by being “in Christ” just as we were once “in Adam”(5:12-21). Paul developed the principle that whatever is true of Adam is true of all who relate to God “in Adam” and whatever is true of Jesus, as a man in His relationship to God, is true of all who relate to God “in Christ” (Rom. 5:12-21).

E.In Romans 5:20-21 Paul gave us one of the great summary statements of our salvation. As we were under the reign of sin before our salvation, we are now under the reign of grace.

21As sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through…Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5:21)

F.The reign of sin:Before we were justified by faith we were all under the reign of sin.

  1. We were under condemnation before God.
  2. We were powerless before sin (at the heart level) and satanic attacks. We had no ability to challenge them. We had no power to resist sinful promptings in our heart (anger, bitterness, lust, pride, etc.).
  3. We were in darkness without the ability to understand God or His Word or to receive divine direction for our life.
  4. We were destitute and without a lasting purpose or hope of a future in God.

G.The reign of grace: We received a new position, power, nature, insights, and destiny.

  1. God’s acceptance with affection: The result of receiving this new position is that God enjoys and delights in relating to us as sons of God and the Bride of Christ. There is no condemnation or rejection from God (Rom. 8:1).
  2. Indwelling Spirit: The Spirit gives us new power with new desires and insights that we may know God, His Word, and His will. We received supernatural power to resist sin and Satan. We received a new nature when our spirit was born again and made righteous. The Teacher dwells on the inside of us. We turn our attention inwardly and thank the Spirit for His presence in our spirit.
  3. The fruit of His presence in us is love and peace (Gal. 5:22). We do not have to yield to the promptings of sin. As we thank the Spirit for His peace that is in our spirit by His indwelling presence, then we will experience them in our soul (mind and emotions).

22The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness… (Gal. 5:22)

  1. Authority: We were given the authority to use Jesus’ name to release the works of God and hinder the works of Satan in our life and circumstances, as well as in others. We are seated in heavenly places with Jesus with access in prayer to God’s presence.

6…raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ… (Eph. 2:6)

  1. Divine destiny: We have a lasting purpose in God that goes beyond our physical death. We will forever reign with Him. Every day is relevant as we do God’s will because He sees our effort and it so moves Him that He gives us eternal rewards for our faithfulness even in small things (Lk. 19:17).Our faithfulness is remembered by God regardless of how small our impact is.

H.We must “reckon ourselves” or see ourselves in the way that God sees us and according to what the Word says about us (Rom. 6:11). We must see ourselves as those who have died to the reign of sin and are alive to God.

11Reckon [see] yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ… (Rom. 6:11)

I.We must see ourselves as enjoyed, indwelt, empowered, and commissioned by God with a relevant purpose. To be alive to God is synonymous with being under the reign of grace.

J.We are transformed by changing our thinking. We are set free by the knowledge of the truth.

32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (Jn. 8:32)

2Be transformed by the renewing of your mind… (Rom. 12:2)

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